Relay Capital Group and MENA Growth Partners Form Strategic Alliance for U.S.-MENA Investment Bridge

Relay Capital Group and MENA Growth Partners Unite for Strategic Investment Collaboration

In a significant move within the investment landscape, Relay Capital Group, a New York-based merchant bank, has joined forces with MENA Growth Partners (MGP), a merchant bank focused on the Middle East. This strategic alliance is geared towards bridging the gap between U.S. and MENA technology investments, facilitating access to innovative funding sources and opportunities for companies in both regions.

A Vision for Seamless Access

The primary goal of this partnership is to create a seamless investment bridge that allows for two-way capital flow. It aims to enable Middle Eastern investors to tap into lucrative U.S. technology opportunities while simultaneously providing American funds and startups with avenues to expand into MENA markets.

As stated by Ben Hart, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Relay Capital Group, “Our strategy centers around bringing institutional-grade sophistication to the secondary market.” This encompasses identifying and packaging exceptional investment opportunities and presenting them to MENA investors, establishing a direct interface between their needs and what the U.S. market can offer.

Leveraging Existing Networks

The collaboration will harness Relay's extensive network of U.S.-based investors and MGP's established connections with sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and institutional investors in the Middle East. This approach means that exclusive deal flows will be accessed through Relay’s platform, designed to surface high-potential secondary investment opportunities that have historically been available only to insiders.

Relay's collaboration with MGP aims to streamline the investment process for U.S. tech startups looking for resources and mentorship in MENA. This includes facilitating introductions to local regulators, industry talent, and potential customers, thereby de-risking expansion efforts in the GCC and broader MENA regions.

Accelerating Capital Deployment

Another critical aspect of this alliance is the acceleration of capital deployment. MGP’s investor network is set to enhance the speed of diligence and transaction close timelines. As Jordan Bray, Managing Partner at MGP puts it, “Together, we will shorten fundraising cycles, give access to the best, and support portfolio companies as they land, hire, and scale across GCC and MENA.” This partnership promises to significantly enhance the efficiency of fundraising efforts and market entry strategies.

Looking Ahead

Both companies view this collaboration as the first step in a long journey to reshape the global venture ecosystem. As highlighted by Michael Grigoriev, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Relay Capital, “This alliance is the first mile of a long journey.” With secondaries gaining prominence within the venture capital sphere, this partnership promises to deliver noteworthy outcomes as they work to forge a stronger connection between MENA-based capital and U.S. technological innovation.

About Relay Capital Group

Relay Capital Group specializes in secondary transactions within the U.S. technology market, leveraging over a decade of experience within the industry to deliver liquidity solutions tailored to the needs of both investors and portfolio companies. The firm's approach centers around creating value through targeted partnerships and innovative investment strategies.